Traversing a travel joint with a fluid line

Abstract

A method of traversing a travel joint with a line can include, after the travel joint has been installed in a well, activating a connector which provides sealed fluid communication between sections of the line on respective opposite sides of the travel joint. A travel joint system for use with a subterranean well can include a travel joint comprising a releasing device which permits relative displacement between sections of the travel joint, and a connector which provides fluid communication between sections of a line.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of traversing a travel joint with a line, the method comprising:
 assembling a travel joint and first and second sections of the line in a tubular string, the first and second sections being on respective opposite sides of the travel joint; 
 then installing the travel joint in a well; and 
 then activating a connector which provides sealed fluid communication between the first and second sections of the line. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein sealed fluid communication is not provided by the connector prior to activating the connector. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising releasing sections of the travel joint for displacement of the travel joint sections relative to each other, prior to activating the connector. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the connector further comprises manipulating pressure in the line. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the connector is performed after the tubular string is connected with a completion assembly. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the connector is performed after the tubular string is landed in a wellhead. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the connector further comprises increasing pressure in the line to a predetermined level. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the connector further comprises displacing a piston. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the connector further comprises rupturing a rupture disc. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the connector further comprises preventing fluid communication between an internal volume of the travel joint and an exterior of the travel joint, the internal volume varying in response to relative displacement between sections of the travel joint. 
     
     
       11. A travel joint system for use with a subterranean well, the system comprising:
 a travel joint which provides for dimensional variations between a completion assembly and a wellhead, the travel joint including a releasing device which initially prevents relative displacement between telescoping members of the travel joint; 
 first and second sections of a line on respective opposite sides of the travel joint; and 
 a connector which provides fluid communication between the sections of the line, the connector being positioned between the telescoping members of the travel joint. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the connector comprises at least one piston responsive to pressure manipulations in at least one of the sections of the line. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the connector comprises a device which opens in response to a predetermined pressure level in at least one of the sections of the line. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the connector provides fluid communication between the sections of the line while relative displacement is permitted between the telescoping members of the travel joint. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the connector includes a valve which closes off a pressure equalizing port. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the valve prevents fluid communication between an internal volume of the travel joint and an exterior of the travel joint, which volume varies in response to relative displacement between the telescoping members of the travel joint. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the valve prevents fluid communication between an internal volume of the travel joint and an exterior of the travel joint, which volume is placed in fluid communication with the sections of the line by the connector. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the travel joint is interconnected in a tubular string between the wellhead and the completion assembly, whereby the line traverses the travel joint between the wellhead and the completion assembly. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the connector initiates fluid communication between the sections of the line while the travel joint is positioned in the well. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the sections of the line is attached to a respective one of the telescoping members of the travel joint.